Robeson County 4-H

Although I am not one who likes to dwell in the past I must say that looking back at our accomplishments over the past year is really exciting. When you can do it in photos it is even better. Each year Robeson County 4-H publishes a photo book showing what we have done. Needless to say we have done that again this year. The book is used for marketing purposes and one stays in our library and we often take them with us when we set up displays. Of course you can view the electronic version of the book and even order your own book by clicking on the link. This year the book has a family theme, because 4-H is really another family for many of us. Over this year we have seen many changes. Our Extension Director, Everett Davis retired, after 28 years of service. We dedicate this book to him as a thank you for his support of the 4-H program. Before his departure Everett set up two endowments for 4-H to support our volunteers and 4-H members and ensure the future of our program. Keith Walters,...

This morning, our first day back in the office, we have been sharing the highlights and special details of our holiday celebration. In many cases the phrase, my children our blessed, I am blessed have been repeated over and over. The spirit of the season has brought us back to center and in many cases we want to share our blessings. Our Robeson County 4-H members, volunteers, and family know that Robeson County 4-H is a United Way Agency. In other words our funding for county programs (not salaries, overhead or typical office needs) which directly impact our youth and volunteers come from United Way. Without this money we would not be able to offer the variety of programs and trainings that you see highlighted here on our blog. 100% of our county budget is dependent on United Way. I say all of this because this morning we had our quarterly United Way Agency Meeting. Robeson County 4-H is one of 17 agencies that receive funding from United Way. Each agency is different in how muc...

The following is an original poem from those excellent equestrian entrepreneurs in St. Paul's. Yes, they created their own Christmas poem as part of a contest in the Fayetteville Observer about their 4-H club and we could not help but share it with you. Santa Needs Help! It was fourteen days, till Christmas, that we knew. All the reindeers, and elves came down with the flu. Poor Santa, he just didn't know what to do. "Now Santa!" said Mrs Claus, "don't worry, I know who to call! The 4-H Club in St. Paul's." When the 4-Hers got the call, they grabbed all the ponies, then took off, so they could help out Santa Claus. They got to the North Pole just in the nick of time, because they knew Santa, was getting behind. "Now! Alicia, and Brianna, Now! Caylee, and Chasity, Now! Christian, Daniel, Meagan, Taylor and Paiton too," Santa said, "we have lots of work to do!" They washed all the ponies, and the sleigh too, They knew there was two ...

Of course anytime we have the opportunity to highlight something special about 4-H we will. If it is something about 4-H in North Carolina you better believe we will toot the horn of our fellow 4-H'ers. For those of you who watch Good Morning America you may already know what I am talking about. This video link will take you to a segment on the show. A group of 4-H'ers from Graham County taped a little snip it that made the edit this morning. If you are wondering which ones they are check out the piece around the 54 second marker. Congratulations Graham County 4-H!

It was all about nature as the members of the Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H club meet last night. Nature and Christmas were the main topics of this meeting right after they got done with a little business. The club members elected officers that will serve through September of 2011. Dillon McCartney will be President, Tyson Alford Vice President, Tyron Alford Treasurer, Andra Turbok Secretary, and Kieren Hatcher will be Reporter. After getting done with the difficult business of elections the group spread out to make some really neat and natural craft projects Club leader, Missy McLean worked with the youth to make some really neat mouse ornaments. They used acorns, gumballs from trees, straw, google eyes and pom poms to make the unique creatures. With a ribbon placed strategically between the body and head during construction they had some really cute, yet personal tree ornaments. The youth also worked with Kerrie Roach who volunteered to come play as she calls it. They used...

Rain nor snow nor sleet would keep the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports club from their appointed field trip with shooting stars (a.k.a. shooting legends). Yes, shooting legends who could all be found at the Annie Oakley Boom Days in Pinehurst, NC . For those of you not familiar with Annie Oakley, she was born in the 1860's and is considered the first female superstar. Travelling with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Oakley was a sharpshooter and exhibition shooter that was known for her fast shooting, and trick shots with a mirror. In 1922 at the age of 62 Oakley apparently competed in a shooting contest in Pinehurst and shot 100 clays at 16 yards. Thus the contest of this legend continues today as the Annie Oakley Boom Days. This year the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports club worked with the promoters of the event to visit and meet some of the best in the field. They knew they were right on target meeting two members of the USA Olympic Shooting Sports team . Caitlin Connor and Ja...

Today marks a new day of leadership for Robeson County Cooperative Extension as Dr. Cathy Graham joins our team as our County Extension Director. Dr. Graham was previously the County Extension Director in Scotland County. Many of our long time volunteers and alumni may remember Dr. Graham from when she served as a 4-H Agent in Robeson County. Dr. Graham is stepping into the position that was vacated by Everett Davis when he retired in April. Keith Walters, the County Extension Director in Hoke County, served as interim during the seven months it took to find our new director. On Monday the staff got together to say thank you and good bye to Keith as he returned back to duty in Hoke County. An NCSU graduate, we made sure we gave him a proper send off with an NCSU cake and a photo of his "Team Robeson". As Dr. Graham started today the staff gave her a breakfast social with fresh baked muffins, coffee cake, fruit and other morning goodies . We sat and talked and introduced ours...